Dow follows S&P higher Thursday, but Nasdaq, Value Line fail

Stock index, chart, technical analysis

Market Snapshot for session ending 7-19-12

Market Overview – What We Know:

• Major indexes experienced upside follow-through Thursday with S&P hitting new short-term high while Dow 30 bettered July 5 intraday high (12961.30). NASDAQ Composite and Value Line index continue to lag S&P and Dow and remain below July 5 highs. Major resistance at April 2 S&P high (1422.38) remains fully intact.
• As measured by S&P 500, short-term trend is now positive and next larger Intermediate trend is threatening on upside.
• Trading volume on NYSE rose 4% Thursday and Average Price per Share declined 18 cents, the second day AP/S fell back in the face of higher index pricing.
• Short-term Trading Oscillators have moved back toward “Overbought” territory, but Daily MAAD Ratio remains “Oversold” at .76.
• Daily MAAD was positive Thursday by 10 to 9. Indicator was last plotted at level equivalent to S&P 500 price of about 1320 and continues to suggest Smart Money remains unenthused about recent rally.
• Daily CPFL was positive Thursday by 2.76 to 1. Indicator was favorable for fifth session in row, but despite strength remains below April 9 resistance high.
• CV in S&P 500 and S&P Emini were last above July 3 resistance highs, but both remain well below late March/early April plot highs.

Market Overview – What We Think:

• Crosscurrents persist in market. Strength above near-term resistance high (1374.81) in S&P 500 Wednesday and 12961.30 Thursday in Dow 30 without confirming action in NASDAQ Composite, Value Line index, or Daily MAAD could be decided in favor of S&P and Dow, but divergence is nonetheless noteworthy.
• More important, if all indexes get in synch on upside, then late March/early April highs (1422.38—S&P 500) take on new importance since if those levels are exceeded across spectrum, bull trend since March 2009 is reasserted.
• It remains to be seen if that tone can be sustained, given fact most of our Short-term stats have moved back toward “Overbought” territory with lone exception of Daily MAAD Ratio that remains “Oversold” and in zone of opportunity. Clearly oscillators will give on downside, or Daily MAAD Ratio will play game of catch-up on upside. Major resistance (1422.38—S&P 500) and June lows (1266.74—S&P 500) hang in balance.
• If follow through strength does not develop, June lows would then come back into focus (1266.74—S&P 500).

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Note: Stop levels, a function of the extant trend, are based on the trailing moving average price channels for the Highs or the Lows of an index. Whether or not a specific index is suggesting a “Buy” or Sell” is determined by whether or not index prices are above or below the current channel Stop levels. Stop levels should only be used as an entry or exit guide and in conjunction with other market entry and exit strategies.

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